Summit Thematic Program
Shaping the Global Conversation on Water Policy, Strategy, and Leadership
The Thematic Program at the IDRA Reykjavik Summit 2025 convenes senior decision-makers, government leaders, multilateral agencies, CEOs, and civil society voices to tackle the defining challenges at the intersection of reuse, desalination, water, climate, and development.
Spanning a pre-summit day and two summit days, the program features high-level panels, curated dialogues, and leadership exchanges exploring how bold policy, finance, and regulatory innovation can accelerate the adoption of sustainable and equitable water solutions worldwide.
With sessions on climate resilience, integrated resource management, water equity, digital transformation, and global cooperation, the Thematic Program offers unmatched insight into the systems-level levers shaping the future of desalination, reuse, and nonconventional water.
This is where strategy meets execution. Join the conversations driving impact across the global water sector.
Program Schedule
Registration
12:30 – 18:30
Harpa 1st Floor
Brine Valorization Workshop
13:00 – 17:00
Rima
Imagine | Curated by Canada Ocean Racing Team
15:00 – 16:00
Kaldalon
Welcome Reception
18:30-20:30
Harpa
OPENING CEREMONY & WELCOMING REMARKS
WELCOME REMARKS – IDRA
Monday 13 | 08:30-08:40
Ms. Shannon McCarthy
Executive Director, Secretary General – IDRA
Mr. Jon Freedman
IDRA President
MINISTERIAL REMARKS
Hon. Jóhann Páll Johannsson
Minister of the Environment, Energy, and Climate for the Government of Iceland
H.E. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye
Minister
Ministry of Water and Sanitation of Senegal
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Eng. Mohammed Al Sheikh
Vice President for International Partnership
Saudi Water Authority
MORNING SESSION: GLOBAL NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REUSE & DESALINATION
Keynote: Climate Variation and Water Security
Mr. Peter Prengaman
Global Climate and Environmental News Director
Associated Press
GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW
Mr. Keith Hays
Vice President & Co-founder
Bluefield Research
Panel 1: Bridging Global Water Narratives: Shared Pathways in Desalination and Reuse
This panel brings together representatives from diverse countries to share their unique water journeys and uncover commonalities in addressing water scarcity.
Focusing on desalination, water reuse, and circular economy principles, panelists will explore shared challenges and innovative solutions for reuse and through dynamic discussion, the session will highlight universal strategies for sustainable water management, fostering collaboration and resilience across global water narratives.
Monday 13 | 09:20-10:10
Moderator
Mr. Jon Freedman
Global Head of Policy & Stakeholder Engagement for Water Quality
Veralto – IDRA President
Panelist
Hon. Jóhann Páll Johannsson
Minister of the Environment, Energy, & Climate for the Government of Iceland
Panelist
Hon. Ramón Fernández-Pacheco
Regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development for the Regional Government of Andalusia
Panelist
Hon. Bruno Pigott
Executive Director
Water Reuse Association
IDRA Special Advisor
Panelist
Mr. Saddam Khleifat
Director-National Conveyor Project Management Unit
Ministry of Water & Irrigation, Jordan
Networking Break
Monday 13 | 10:10-10:30
Floi, Level 1
Curated in collaboration with the Water Reuse Association 
Panel 2: The USA Response to Water Scarcity: Innovative Policies and Reuse Strategies
The USA is boldly shifting water resilience, with California leading the way in delivering multi-billion-dollar reuse programs by 2050. Other states, from the West to the East Coast, are taking significant steps in reuse. This panel brings together the leaders behind transformative projects reshaping water resilience, where large-scale reuse is becoming a core strategy for securing future water supplies.
The discussion will also cover the USA infrastructure, financing, cross-regional coordination needed to scale efforts, and how public-private partnerships accelerate impact and expand reach.
Monday 13 | 10:30-11:30
Moderator
Ms. Felicia Marcus
William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program, USA
Panelist
Mr. Anselmo Collins
Senior Assistant General Manager-Water System
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), USA
Panelist
Mr. John Kmiec
Director
Tucson Water, USA
Panelist
Ms. Ana Schwab
Partner & Director of Government Affairs
Best Best & Krieger
Panelist
Mr. Paul Sciuto
Executive Officer
Monterey One Water
Panelist
Ms. Kristen Atha
Director of Public Utilities
City of Columbus
Keynote: The Magnitude of MENA’s Water Crisis
Dr. Ferid Belhaj
Former Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa – The World Bank
Panel 3: Water Security in MENA: Transforming Scarcity through Innovation and Investment
The MENA region has 6% of the world’s population but just 1% of its renewable freshwater, making it the most water-scarce region on Earth. This panel explores the region’s growing water crisis, which is driven by climate change, population growth, groundwater depletion, and agricultural pressures.
Policymakers and experts will discuss how scarcity impacts sustainability, social stability, and economies, highlighting solutions like desalination, reuse, smart governance, and regional cooperation.
The session aims to raise awareness, encourage collaboration, and stress the urgency of securing a sustainable water future.
Moderator
Eng. Khaled Al Qureshi
Chief Executive Officer
Saudi Water Partnership Company-SWPC, KSA
Panelist
Eng. Mohammed Al Sheikh
Vice President for International Partnership
Saudi Water Authority, KSA
Panelist
Dr. Mary Matthews
UNDP Water Lead a.i.
UNDP Ocean Advisor & Ocean Innovation Challenge Manager
Panelist
Dr. Floris Dalemans
Water Specialist-MENA
World Bank
Part 1 – A selection of case studies will be presented in lightning talk format:
- Al Taweelah Power and Desalination Complex:
- Saudi Water Partnership Company – Public–Private Partnership Framework for Water Infrastructure Expansion
- Wastewater Treatment Plant for Ruwais Housing Complex
Moderator
Ms. Yvonne Zhou
Managing Director and Senior Partner
Boston Consulting Group
Moderator
Mr. Michael Bjorn
Vice President
Danfoss
Pamelist
Eng. Jamal Al Shamsi
Capital Investment Planning Director
TAQA Water Solutions
Panelist
Eng. Khaled Al Qureshi
Chief Executive Officer
Saudi Water Partnership Company-SWPC
Panelist
Mr. Fady Juez
Managing Director
Metito
Lunch
Monday 13 | 13:00–14:00
Floi, Level 1
AFTERNOON SESSION: REGIONALIZED TRENDS AND CASE STUDIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
Scaling Water Reuse – World Bank 2030 Water Resources Group Overview
Monday 13 | 14:00-14:15
Ms. Rochi Khemka
Senior Private Sector Specialist
Water Resources Group
UN CEO Water Mandate – Pacific Institute Water Reuse Overview
Monday 13 | 14:15-14:25
Mr. Jason Morrison
President
Pacific Institute
Panel 4: Scaling Water Reuse: Pathways to Increasing Global Adoption from 8% to 80%
Water reuse remains one of the most underutilized solutions in the global water toolkit—currently accounting for just 8% of water use worldwide. This session explores what it will take to dramatically scale adoption to 80%, transforming how the world manages water in the face of rising demand, climate stress, and resource scarcity.
Panelists will unpack the policy shifts, financing models, public engagement strategies, and technology innovations needed to mainstream water reuse across diverse geographies. From regulatory reform and decentralized infrastructure to industrial uptake and agricultural applications, this discussion will chart an ambitious yet achievable roadmap to accelerate global water reuse at scale.
Monday 13 | 14:25-15:30
Moderator
Mr. Felix Wang
Global Head of Marketing
Gradiant
Panelist
Eng. Jamal Salem Al Shamisi
Capital Investment Planning Director
TAQA Water Solutions
Panelist
Hon. Camille Touton
Former Commissioner, Presidential Appointee
United States Bureau of Reclamation
Panelist
Mr. Jason Morrison
President
Pacific Institute
Panelist
Prof. Carlos Schauff
Senior Consultant Member
Brazilian Association of Sanitation and Environmental Engineering
Panelist
Pr Eng. Johann Lubbe
Head
Water Partnership Office
Networking Break
Monday 13 | 15:30-16:00
Floi, Level 1
Panel 5: Iceland’s Approach to Water Security and Sustainable Growth
Monday 13 | 16:00- 17:00
Iceland, a nation shaped by glaciers and pristine waters, proves that abundance does not mean complacency. Despite having some of the world’s cleanest and most plentiful water resources, Iceland is already confronting the urgent challenges of climate change and industrial growth. Melting glaciers, the expansion of land-based aquaculture, and increasing demands from industry call for a bold and coordinated response.
This session will highlight Iceland’s forward-looking approach to safeguarding water security while enabling sustainable economic development. Leaders from utilities, government, and research will share strategies rooted in prevention, collaboration, and innovation. A spotlight will be placed on the ICEWATER project, co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE programme, which tackles these challenges by mobilizing resources, removing barriers, and piloting innovative solutions.
The discussion will demonstrate how a country blessed with natural abundance can also be a global leader in resilience and stewardship, balancing growth with responsibility in the face of climate challenges.
Moderator
Ms. Nótt Thorberg
Director
Green by Iceland
Keynote
Mr. Gestur Pétursson
Director General
The Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency
Panelist
Ms. Jóna Bjarnadóttir
Executive Vice President of Community and Environment
Landsvirkjun / The National Power Company of Iceland
Panelist
Ms. Hildigunnur Thorsteinsson
Director General
The Icelandic Meteorological Office
Panelist
Ms. Karen Mist Kristjánsdóttir
Head of Energy and Sustainability
Eimur
Panelist
Mr. Sverrir Aðalsteinn Jónsson
Head of Permits and Reviews
The Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency
Panel 6: From the Sea to the City — Scaling Innovation in Desalination and Renewable Reuse
From the depths of the ocean to large-scale utility systems on land, innovation is redefining how we secure and sustain our water future. This session explores groundbreaking approaches to desalination and reuse: from frontier ocean-based systems that harness marine environments to established leaders driving large-scale transformation through renewable integration, advanced membranes, and digital optimization.
Together, these perspectives chart a continuum of innovation, where experimental meets operational, and where bold ideas evolve into scalable, sustainable solutions shaping the next generation of global water resilience.
Monday 13 | 17:00- 17:30
Moderator
Mr. Fady Juez
Managing Director
Metito
Panelist
Mr. David Locke
Executive Program Director
XPRIZE Water Scarcity
Mr. Ahmad Al Muhaidib
Senior Regional Business Development Manager
TAQA Water Solutions
Panelist
Mr. Harith Alomar
Global Sales Director
Waterise
Panelist
Panelist
Mr. Jonathan Haswell
Chief Operating Officer
OceanWell
Reception, Dinner, & Awards Ceremony
Sponsored by:
Monday 13 | 19:30-22:30
IDRA Dinner Beneath the Glacial Veil
A Nordic Dinner Surrounded by Art, and the Stark Beauty of the North
October 13, 2025, 19:30-22:30
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus
Address: Tryggvagata 17-4116410
MORNING SESSION: WATER STEWARDSHIP, HYPERSCALERS & AI
WELCOME REMARKS – IDRA
Tuesday 14 | 08:30- 08:35
Mr. Jon Freedman
President
IDRA
KEYNOTE ADDRESS – IDRA
Tuesday 14 | 08:35- 08:45
Mr. Charlie Iceland
Research Scientist-ISciences LLC,
IDRA Special Advisor
Panel 7: From Pilots to Proof: Scaling Collective Action for Water and Climate Security
Curated in collaboration with
This session, hosted by the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) and the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), will cut past theory to spotlight real-world case studies where collective action has transformed climate adaptation and resilience at the community and watershed levels. We’ll explore how integrated water stewardship—anchored in accountability, equity, and local engagement—can be a catalyst for systemic change when diverse actors work together.
But inspiration alone won’t be enough. To meet the scale of the climate and water crises, we must track and verify impact through on-the-ground projects, share results transparently, and rapidly replicate what works. This is a call for a multi-stakeholder/whole-of-society movement: governments, companies, communities, and innovators stepping up with aligned resources, bold leadership, and mutual accountability. The message is clear—incremental progress won’t cut it. The time is now for transformative collective action that delivers measurable water security and climate resilience where it matters most.
Moderator
Mr. Adrian Sym
Chief Executive
Alliance for Water Stewardship-AWS
Moderator
Ms. Shannon McCarthy
Secretary General
IDRA
Panelist
Mr. Jason Morrison
President
Pacific Institute
Panelist
Eng. Khaled Al Qureshi
Chief Executive Officer
Saudi Water Partnership Company-SWPC
Panelist
Ms. Rochi Khemka
Senior Private Sector Specialist
World Bank, 2030 Water Resources Group
Panelist
Pr Eng Johann Lübbe
Head
Water Partnerships Office
Panel 8: Closing the Loop: Digital Innovations Driving the Circular Economy Revolution
Curated in collaboration with 
Digital technologies are proving to be powerful enablers of circular economy principles, transforming how we design, produce, consume, and recover resources. This session will explore how innovations like AI, blockchain, IoT, and digital platforms are accelerating the transition from linear “take-make-waste” models to circular systems that maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
With a special focus on the electronics sector through the work of the Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP), panelists will share concrete examples of how technology is enabling product lifecycle tracking, materials passport development, efficient recovery systems, and new business models that extend product life and value while reducing resource consumption and waste.
Tuesday 14 | 09:30-10:15
Moderator
Mr.Luis Neves
Chief Executive Officer
GeSI
Panelist
Dr. Mary Matthews
UNDP Water Lead a.i.
UNDP Ocean Advisor & Ocean Innovation Challenge Manager
Panelist
Ms. Melanie Kubin-Hardewig
Vice President, Group Corporate Responsibility
Deutsche Telekom
Panelist
Mr.Christer Otterstrom
Chief Executive Officer
Hummeltorp
Panelist
Mr. Facundo Armas
Sustainable Business Director
Globant
Panel 9: Sustainable Computing: The Data Centers-Water-Energy Nexus
Curated in collaboration with
Tuesday 14 | 10:15-11:00
The rapid expansion of data centers, particularly to support AI and cloud computing, has created unprecedented demands on water and energy resources. According to recent studies, data centers consume billions of gallons of water annually for cooling purposes, while their energy consumption continues to rise dramatically—with projections suggesting a six-fold increase in the next decade.
This session will explore the hidden environmental footprint of our digital infrastructure and present innovative approaches to address this challenge. Experts will discuss cutting-edge cooling technologies (including air-cooled, hybrid, and adiabatic systems), alternative water sources, energy efficiency measures, and integrated design strategies that can significantly reduce resource consumption while maintaining optimal performance in a climate-constrained world.
Moderator
Mr. Nizar Kammourie
Chief Executive Officer
SAWACO Water Group
Panelist
Mr. Jakob Jul Jensen
Danish Data Center Industry-Member of the Board, Head of Business Development
Danfoss
Panelist
Dr. Paul Westerhoff
Regents Professor-School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Arizona State University
Panelist
Mr. Marcel Mendes da Costa
Chief Development Officer
Borealis Data Center
Panelist
Mr. Chris Larsen
Chief Technology Officer
atNorth
Morning Networking Break
Tuesday 14 | 11:00-11:15
Floi, Level 1
MID-MORNING SESSION: DESALINATION AND REUSE SOLUTIONS TO SCARCITY
GWI Market Overview & IDRA Desalination & Reuse Handbook 2025 – 2026
Tuesday 14 | 11:15- 11:25
Mr. Hugo Birch
Desalination & Reuse Editor
Global Water Intelligence
Panel 10: Global Desalination – Confronting Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities
Curated in collaboration with 
Desalination is becoming an essential part of the global water supply puzzle, particularly in regions facing acute water scarcity. However, scaling desalination presents a range of challenges—from high energy consumption and environmental concerns to financing and regulatory complexity.
This panel brings together international experts, utility leaders, and policymakers to explore the evolving landscape of desalination. The discussion will highlight real-world experiences, cutting-edge technologies, and policy innovations helping address critical barriers. Panelists will also examine opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and integrate desalination into resilience strategies.
As the need for sustainable and reliable water sources intensifies, this session will offer a global perspective on how desalination can be advanced to meet the demands of the future.
Tuesday 14 | 11:25-12:30
Moderator
Mr. Peter Prengaman
Global Climate and Environmental News Director
Associated Press
Panelist
Eng. Amer Alrajiba
Chief Planning Officer
Saudi Water Partnership Company-SWPC
Panelist
Mr. Saddam Khleifat
Director-National Conveyor Project Management Unit
Ministry of Water & Irrigation, Jordan
Panelist
Mr. Philippe Thiel
Development Director
SUEZ
Panelist
Mrs. Constanze Simmermacher
Global Principal Desalination
Jacobs
IDRA-WRA
Presentation of joint WRA and IDRA White Paper on Global Water Reuse
Tuesday 14 | 12:30- 12:45
Mr. Jon Freedman
President
IDRA
Mr. Bart Weiss
President
WateReuse Association
Ms. Shannon McCarthy
Secretary General
IDRA
Mr. Bruno Pigott
Executive Director
WateReuse Association
IDRA World Congress 2026 – Driving Global Sustainability Through Innovation – Riyadh, November 1-5, 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in the Water Sector and a Preview of the IDRA World Congress 2026 Thematic and Technical Programs
In this exclusive session, IDRA and SWA will offer an early preview of the IDRA World Congress 2026 – Riyadh, themed “Driving Global Water Sustainability Through Innovation.” Held under the esteemed patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this landmark event will showcase transformative solutions, bold partnerships, and pioneering technologies that are shaping the future of global water sustainability.
Tuesday 14 | 12:45-13:00
Mr. Jon Freedman
President
IDRA
Eng. Mohammed Al Sheikh
Vice President for International Partnership
Saudi Water Authority
Ms. Jantje Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
OrangeBoat
Mrs. Constanze Simmermacher
Global Principal Desalination
Jacobs
Dr. Marshall Davert
Executive General Manager, Pre-Contracts
Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure
Lunch
Tuesday 14 | 13:00–14:00
Floi, Level 1
AFTERNOON SESSION: REDUCING THE INDUSTRIAL WATER-ENERGY FOOTPRINT
Panel 11: Nonconventional Water: How are industrial leaders approaching holistic water management?
This session explores how industry is reimagining the role of water management in their day-to-day operations and capital planning. From rethinking how to procure water, to rethinking the scope of ‘water’ itself, our panel of industrial leaders each bring a pioneering project to the table.
Tuesday 14 | 14:00-14:45
Moderator
Mr. Flemming Bjoernslev
Senior Advisor
Aquatech
Panelist
Mr. KV Suryam
Chief Executive Officer
Water Reliance Industries
Panelist
Mr. Adriano Ameglio
Bidding Department Manager
Fisia Italimpianti
Panelist
Mr. Kris Lambert
SVP Sales-Europe
Veolia
Panelist
Mr.Peter Bokor
Senior Vice President – Growth & Innovation
Stantec
Panelist
Ms. Aurélia Carrère
Investment Team – Thematic Chair
Summa Equity
Panel 12: Energy Transition: Hydrogen and Renewables – the next frontier?
Green hydrogen is fast becoming a cornerstone of the global energy transition, offering a pathway to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors while enabling greater integration of renewable energy. This session explores how hydrogen, powered by solar, wind, and geothermal sources, is reshaping energy systems and driving innovation across economies.
The discussion will also delve into the critical connection between water and hydrogen— examining how sustainable water sources, such as desalination and reuse are essential for scalable hydrogen production. By linking hydrogen to circular water strategies, the panel will highlight opportunities to align energy and water goals in support of climate resilience and resource efficiency.
Tuesday 14 | 14:45-15:30
Moderator
Mr. Georg Herborg
Director of Innovation
Danfoss
Panelist
Eng. Naif Al Arifi
Chief Project Delivery Officer
Saudi Water Partnership Company-SWPC
Panelist
Dr. Hassan Modarresi
Senior Technical Director
GHD
Panelist
Mr. Keith Hays
Vice President & Co-founder
Bluefield Research
Panelist
Mr. Michael Henriksen
Chief Executive Officer
Wavepiston
Afternoon Networking Break
Tuesday 14 | 15:30-16:00
Floi, Level 1
EVENING SESSION: INNOVATION IN POLICY AND FINANCE – THE KEYS TO ADAPTATION & MITIGATION
Panel 13: Catalyzing Change: Policy and Capital for Circular Water Solutions Innovative Policy & Finance in the Face of Climate Change
Achieving a circular water economy requires more than technology—it demands bold policy frameworks and innovative financing models that can unlock large-scale, long-term investment. This high-level session convenes global finance institutions, sovereign funds, and development organizations to explore how financial mechanisms and economic policy can drive more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water systems.
Panelists will share insights into how blended finance, risk-sharing, and results-based funding are being used to support water reuse, desalination, and circular resource strategies.
The panel will spotlight successful models, identify gaps in the current finance ecosystem, and explore how collaboration between governments, private investors, and international funds can accelerate progress toward a truly circular water economy.
Tuesday 14 | 16:00-17:00
Moderator
Mr. Zael G. Uriarte
Sr. Water and Sanitation Specialist
World Bank Group
Panelist
Eng. Eslam Alwaznani
Circular Economy Operations Group Leader
WTIIRA
Panelist
Mr. Bertrand Camus
Partner
Summa Equity
Panelist
Dr. Marshall Davert
Executive General Manager, Pre Contracts
Abergeldie
IDRA White Paper on Collective Action to Address Water Scarcity
Part 2 – A selection of case studies will be presented in lightning talk format:
Integrated Water Management for Social Wellbeing & Community Resilience in California
DESALRO 2.0 Desalination Plant
Smart Water Technology Advancing UAE’s Food & Water Security Goals
Smart Water Networks Upgrade in France
Tuesday 14 | 17:00-17:30
Moderator
Mr. Michael Bjorn
Vice President
Danfoss
Moderator
Mr. John Hanula
Senior Vice President-Growth and Innovation
Stantec
Panelist
Mr. Anselmo Collins
Senior Assistant General Manager-Water System
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
Panelist
Mr. Angel Rivero Falcón
Projects Advanced Technician, Department of Water
Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC)
Panelist
Mr. Imad Makhzoumi
Chairman & CEO
ENOIA
Panelist
Mr. Yvan Treal
Commercial Coordination Director
SUEZ
Closing Ceremony & Reception
Tuesday 14 | 17:30-19:00